We are excited to be launching the #PlasticFreeMersey project jointly led by Mersey Rivers Trust and our sister rivers trust, Thames21.  It will build on Thames 21's award-winning litter survey work, which has identified the most common plastic litter items on the Tidal Thames. The launch event is taking place at the Royal Liver Building on the banks of the Mersey on Thursday July 22 at 9am.  

During the two-year project, we will train volunteers as citizen scientists to help us collect plastic litter from the waterways of the Mersey and sort, count and quantify the plastic items found. 

You can sign up for the free training here: PlasticFreeMersey Training

Each year, 900 Mersey River Trust volunteers collect over 1,000 bin bags of litter (around five tonnes), much of it plastic. We now want to find out more about the plastic in our rivers so we can work out ways to tackle plastic pollution.

We will be working in collaboration with LyondellBasell, one of the world’s largest producers of plastics and chemicals, INOVYN, Europe’s leading producer of vinyls and SUEZ, a global expert in the water and waste sectors. All have company sites in the River Mersey catchment. The project also has the support of the British Plastics Federation and PlasticsEurope.

The project aims to create and test an effective model of co-operation between Mersey Rivers Trust, Thames 21, academic researchers and the plastics industry to tackle plastic pollution in our waterways. 

John Sanders, Co-Director at Mersey Rivers Trust, said: “We are delighted to have seen a massive improvement in ecology and water quality in the River Mersey over the past 30 years. Unfortunately, plastic pollution has increased over the same period. It’s therefore fantastic that the Mersey Rivers Trust, Thames21 and the plastics and waste industries are now working together to understand more about plastic in our local rivers.  This will help us to address plastic pollution and protect the Mersey waterways for people and wildlife".     

Debbie Leach, CEO of Thames21, said: “This is a hugely exciting initiative that will demonstrate very effectively how we can achieve much more by co-operating and working together, if we are to bring about real change to our rivers. Local residents will work together with local employees in the plastics and waste industries along the beautiful River Mersey towards their shared ambition of reducing plastic in the natural environment – supported by technical expertise of academia, industry and the environment sector. The results of this project will help shine a light on the way ahead.”